Aadhaar card in India constitutes one of the primary identification documents used for almost all official purposes. In some cases, Aadhaar cards are mandatory. Since its inception in 2009, more than 125 crore Indians now possess this card, the Government announced. (1) 

However, still, a large populace is yet to get their hands on an Aadhaar card. The application process is straightforward and easy to follow. You only have to submit all the relevant Aadhaar card documents to prove your eligibility for this vital national card. 

To know all about such necessary documents for an Aadhaar card, keep reading!

List of Documents Required for Aadhaar Card

An Aadhaar card is issued to Indian citizens after collecting biometrics, vital information. To make this process full proof, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), the issuing Government body, asks for a list of documents to verify the authenticity of applicants' information. 

An Aadhaar card is generated only after the proper documentation process is complete. Following is the list of Aadhaar card documents that you need to furnish while applying or enrolling for this card. 

• Identity proof
• Address proof 
• Date of birth proof 
• Proof of relationships 

Besides, if you apply for an Aadhaar card for children, you may have to provide some additional documents that you will know here. 

Aadhaar card documents also include proof of address where your name and address should be mentioned, at least. Also, be extra careful while providing a document to prove the address as the Aadhaar card will be delivered to that address only. 

Here’s the list of documents that are accepted as address proof for Aadhaar cards.  

• Ration Card
• Passbook
• Bank statement 
• Insurance documents 
• Utility bills like electricity and telephone bill
• Address certificate signed by a registered company on letterhead
• Arms license
• Post office passbook 
• Voter ID
• Property tax receipt
• Government photo ID card
• Address card issued by Department of Posts
• Gas connection bills (not older than three months)
• Disability ID card
• Registration certificate of vehicles
• Rent/lease/sale agreement
• Domicile certificate of caste certificate with a photograph. 
• NREGS job card
• Freedom fighter card
• Kissan passbook
• Marriage certificate
• Address certificate issued by village Panchayat head- for rural areas
• Accommodation allotment letter from the state or Central Government. (Not older than three months). 

Besides identity and address proof, you also need to submit documents supporting your date of birth. 

Choose any of the following.

• Birth certificate 
• Passport
• SSC certificate
• PAN card
• Mark sheet issued by Government Board or University
• Central pension payment or State pension payment order
• Date of birth certificate signed by Gazetted Officer on a letterhead. 

Carry the original copy of the document you want to submit along with its photocopy.

The proof of identity is of utmost importance that confirms your Aadhaar card application. The primary criteria for such Aadhaar card documents for identity are having a photo and name mentioned on the card.   

Following are some documents listed below, and you can choose any of them while visiting the Aadhaar Enrolment center. 

• Voter ID
• PAN Card
• Ration Card
• Passport 
• Driving license
• Photo ID issued by Government
• Bank ATM card with photo 
• NREGS job card 
• ECHS/CGHS card with photo 
• Arms license 
• Photo ID issued by a registered educational institution 
• Credit card with photo 
• Kissan photo passbook
• Photo certificate issued by Gazetted Officer in Letterhead.  
• Pensioner card with photo 
• Freedom fighter card
• Address card issued by Department of Posts
• Handicapped or Disability ID Card or medical certificate. 

You can choose any of these as identity proof for an Aadhaar card. Also, you have to furnish proof of address.

Since Aadhaar is issued for each family member, you need to inform the relationship with the head of the family. It will improve your credibility, especially if you are a minor. 

For this matter, any of the following documents for Aadhaar is accepted as relationship proof. 

• MNREGA job card
• PDS card 
• Passport
• Birth certificate
• Government-issued health card
• Pension card
• Canteen card- for army personnel
• Registered marriage certificate
• Family entitlement document issued by State/Central Government.

Along with providing these Aadhaar card documents, you also need to submit the duly filled enrolment form to ascertain your application request.

Along with the supportive documents, you will also be asked to submit three sets of biometric data, for instance:

• Iris scan of both eyes
• Facial photograph 
• Fingerprints of all 10 fingers  

Such data are obtained during the Aadhaar enrolment process. And later if you visit the Aadhaar Card Centre to update further information, you will have to verify your identity by providing either your fingerprints or iris scan.

You will have to submit both the demographic and biometric information to update or correct your Aadhar card details which are recorded in the UIDAI system. In terms of the demographic information, the documents are pretty similar to what you have already provided during the Aadhaar enrolment process. 

Furthermore, you can avoid paying charges by going ahead with the online process, while in case of the manual process, you will have to bear a fee of Rs.25.

Starting from newborn babies to children aged up to 15 years are also eligible to get an exclusive Aadhaar card. Based on their age, the children's Aadhaar card is available for two groups. Therefore, children belonging to each group need to provide different documents to prove their authenticity. 

Children Below 5 years

The Baal Aadhaar or Aadhaar for children are different from those of adults. It is blue in colour and requires fewer documents to complete the enrolment process. It includes:

• The birth certificate of the child along with the Aadhaar card of parents or guardians. 
• The Aadhaar will be linked with the parent’s Aadhaar as biometrics cannot be taken before the age of 5. 

However, children above 5 years need to produce some additional documents. 

Children Between 5 and 15 years

The children more than 5 years old are developed enough to give their biometrics. Hence, the representative at the enrolment office collects the biometrics of their fingers and irises along with the following documents. 

• The birth certificate of the children along with their parent’s Aadhaar number. 
• School ID card

In this case, the Aadhaar number will remain the same if they already have a Baal Aadhaar card. However, the new biometrics will be collected to update the Aadhaar.

Although you have to produce Aadhaar card documents when you visit the enrolment office, you can submit the documents online in case of update or correction of the details on Aadhaar. 

All you have to do is scan the coloured copies of the original documents and upload them on the UIDAI website. You have to furnish the documents listed above to get your Aadhaar on time.

Aadhaar is mandatory for every Indian, including NRIs. However, before applying, NRIs have to ensure that they have spent at least 182 days in India in the last 12 months from the day of the Aadhaar application. 

They have to do the following -  

• After filling up the enrolment form, submit the necessary documents. 
• A passport can be used both for proof of identity and address in this case.
• They can provide other documents as well that are listed by UIDAI.
• NRIs may also have to submit some additional documents to prove their current residential status in other countries. For instance, the stamped copy of the visa of the country will be accepted. 

Hence, it does not matter if you are an NRI or a common resident of India; holding an Aadhaar is mandatory. It is necessary to perform several official tasks like a transaction at banks, checking Income Tax Returns, etc. 

In any case, you have to provide Aadhaar card documents to complete the enrolment and verification process. After the verification is done, it generally takes 5 working days to dispatch the card to your address.